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Lower alcohols (methanol, ethanol) are completely miscible with water because:
AThe small -OH group H-bonds extensively with water; the small alkyl group does not significantly disrupt H-bonding network
BThey are charged species in solution
CThey are less dense than water
DThey have polar bonds
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. The small -OH group H-bonds extensively with water; the small alkyl group does not significantly disrupt H-bonding network
Lower alcohols are miscible because the **-OH H-bonds with water**. As the alkyl group gets bigger, the **hydrophobic alkyl chain** dominates → solubility drops sharply. By **pentan-1-ol**, water solubility is already poor; higher alcohols are essentially insoluble.
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